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Program

Our Program

Cohort size: approximately 24 students   |   Age group: 13–15   |   Duration: 8 weeks   |   Schedule: Saturday sessions   |   Format: In-person

Students are placed into small teams and work together throughout the program, building both technical skills and the ability to collaborate, communicate, and take ownership of their work.

Project-Based Learning

A core part of the program is a team-based project that runs throughout the full 8 weeks.

Students are grouped into teams and work together to solve a real-world problem using technology and AI tools. Each team operates like a small project group, where students take on defined roles, collaborate on decisions, and build a working solution over time.

Throughout the program, students:
  • plan and organize their work as a team
  • apply technology tools to solve problems
  • iterate and improve their ideas
  • prepare to present their work clearly and confidently
The project is not an add-on. It is the center of the learning experience.

What Students Learn

The program focuses on practical, modern tools and real-world application rather than traditional technical training.

  • AI tools and digital workflows using platforms like ChatGPT and Google Workspace
  • Digital organization, productivity, and problem-solving
  • Content creation and presentation development
  • Understanding how digital tools connect and support real-world systems

Students are not just learning tools, they are learning how to think, apply, and build.

How the Program Works

Each session follows a structured format:
  • Technology instruction with hands-on application
  • Team-based project work
  • Leadership and communication development
  • Mentor-supported guidance and feedback
  • Guest speaker sessions with professionals from technology and related fields
Guest speakers provide real-world context, helping students see what careers in technology look like and how people from similar backgrounds have built successful paths.

This structure ensures that students are consistently applying what they learn while also gaining perspective on how those skills translate beyond the classroom.

Mentorship Model

Each student team is supported by a mentor through the Ctrl Shift Mentor Fellowship.

Mentors are college students who guide team progress, support project development, and help students stay accountable throughout the program.

In addition to supporting students, the fellowship is designed to provide mentors with early leadership experience and exposure to real-world team dynamics.

Final Presentation

The program concludes with a final presentation event where each team presents their project and demonstrates the solution they built.

Students present their work to:
  • parents and families
  • community members
  • partners and supporters

Each student is expected to present their role and contribution, building confidence in both communication and ownership.

Program Outcomes

By the end of the program, students will:
  • complete and present a team-based project
  • gain hands-on experience using AI and digital tools
  • build confidence working with technology
  • develop communication and collaboration skills
  • gain exposure to new pathways in technology and future careers

What Comes Next

This pilot program is the first step in a larger vision. As we learn and grow, Ctrl Shift will expand to additional cohorts, introduce new program tracks, and build partnerships with schools and organizations across Chicago. Future initiatives will include expanded cohort offerings, school-based workshops, advanced learning tracks, and mentorship and leadership development programs. We are building deliberately, with a focus on quality, impact, and long-term sustainability.